Afraid? Not Me!
In the very last chapter of the Bible, we read a very interesting verse which gives a catalog of those who will be eternally condemned to the lake of fire. Revelation 21:8 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Did you notice what heads the list? The “fearful” or “cowardly.” This is amazing to me, because I don’t usually think of fear as something very bad.
It may help to remember that fear is the opposite of faith. When we rely on our own strength instead of trusting in God, that is a recipe for fear. Obviously, people who are characterized by fear, not faith, do not please God.
A very specific and relevant fear that we face is the fear of others. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” The Bible tells us that being afraid of others and what they think is a trap. The other side of the coin is trusting in the Lord instead of being afraid of others. We can’t have it both ways: if we are afraid of others and what they will think of us, we are not trusting in the Lord. If we are trusting in the Lord, we will not be terrorized by the fear of others.
How do you know if you are afraid of others? Are there clothes that you would never wear because of what your friends would say? Are there things you do that you would be mortified if your friends found out? Do you avoid singing out too loud in church because somebody might notice you? Do you try not to be too cooperative or helpful in youth group lest one of your friends think that you actually enjoy it? Do you make sure you’re not the first one to answer a question so that nobody thinks you’re too smart? Are you more worried about what people will think of you or what God will think of you?
Avoid the trap of being afraid of man by fearing and obeying God supremely. If our number one goal is to please God, we will not fall into the pit of being a people-pleaser.
It may help to remember that fear is the opposite of faith. When we rely on our own strength instead of trusting in God, that is a recipe for fear. Obviously, people who are characterized by fear, not faith, do not please God.
A very specific and relevant fear that we face is the fear of others. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” The Bible tells us that being afraid of others and what they think is a trap. The other side of the coin is trusting in the Lord instead of being afraid of others. We can’t have it both ways: if we are afraid of others and what they will think of us, we are not trusting in the Lord. If we are trusting in the Lord, we will not be terrorized by the fear of others.
How do you know if you are afraid of others? Are there clothes that you would never wear because of what your friends would say? Are there things you do that you would be mortified if your friends found out? Do you avoid singing out too loud in church because somebody might notice you? Do you try not to be too cooperative or helpful in youth group lest one of your friends think that you actually enjoy it? Do you make sure you’re not the first one to answer a question so that nobody thinks you’re too smart? Are you more worried about what people will think of you or what God will think of you?
Avoid the trap of being afraid of man by fearing and obeying God supremely. If our number one goal is to please God, we will not fall into the pit of being a people-pleaser.
posted by Mark Perry at 7:03 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home